Burns or rases, possibly (5)
I believe the answer is:
sears
'burns' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)
'rases possibly' is the wordplay.
'possibly' indicates an anagram.
'rases' with letters rearranged gives 'SEARS'.
'or' acts as a link.
(Other definitions for sears that I've seen before include "Scorches or burns the surface of" , "Makes very hot and dry" , "Superficially burns" .)